Electric direction indicator



3, 1940' H. J. ELLIOTT ELECTRIC DIRECTION INDICATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed June l, 1959 INVENTOR WITNESS 3, 1940. H. J. ELLIOTT ELECTRICDIRECTION INDICATOR Filed June 1, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zl'agvm ...quil

ATTORNEYS WITN Ess Patented Dec. 3, 1940y UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE.3 Claims.

This invention relates to an electricdirection indicator and has for anobject to provide a simplined warning signal for motor vehicles adaptedto indicate to other drivers and to pedestrians the intentions of adriver to turn to the right or left, to stop or to back.

A further object is to provide improved means for controlling therotation ofthe legend displaying drum, the same including essentially apair of solenoids having a common endwise movable core geared to thedrum, and an additional solenoid having a core disposed to engage thefirst named core and limit endwise movement thereof for controlling thedrum todisplay a left or back signal. 1

A further object is to provide an improved manually operable switchelectrically connected to the solenoids and to a pilot bulb and a bulbfor illuminating the legends, the switch when in one position serving toconnect the source of current to a brake pedal operated switch so thatthe signal "back and stop may be also controlled by the brake pedal.

A further object is to provide a device of this character'which will beformed of a few strong, simple and durable parts, ywhich will beinexpensive to manufacture, and which will not easily get out of order.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists ofcertain novel details of construction and combinations of partshereinafter fully described and claimed, it being understood thatvarious modifications may be resorted to within the scope of theappended claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any ofthe advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the signal lamp constructed inaccordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the lamp taken on the line 2-2 ofFigure 3.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the signal lamp. Y

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the drum and displaying the signallegend as well as the initials v of the vehicle owner.

Referring now to the drawings in which like l characters of referencedesignate similar parts in the various views, I designates a cylindricallamp casing having the open ends closed by transparent panes il. A sightopening I2 is formed longitudinally of the casing and is provided with atransparent pane I2 through which the legends of the signal drum Il areexposed. Diametrically opposite the sight opening, the casing isprovided with a bracket I5 through the medium of which the casing may besecured to the motor vehicle, as for example to the door of the baggagecompartment as shown in Figure l.

The signal drum il is in the form of a cylinder having substantiallyone-half thereof cut away longitudinally to near the ends.` Atransparency Il closes the cut away portion and bears the legendsRight," and Left, then the initials of the owner of the vehicle, thenthe legends Back and Stop, arranged in a vertical row as shown in Figure4. The drum is provided at the ends with radially extending brackets Il,best shown in Figures 3 and 4, these brackets being substantially aradius of the drum in length. The brackets extend from the drum in thesame general direction and are provided with openings iB at the innerends to receive the reduced ends of a shaft I2.

The shaft i9 extends axially in the lamp casing I0 and is rotatablysupported at the ends in bearings 2n disposed on the upper ends of apair of standards 2l which rise from an inverted U-shaped base bar 22.The bar 22 extends longitudinally through the drum, parallel to theshafti9, and is provided with out-turned ends 22 which are fixed to thecasing I0 as shown at 24. The openings I8 in the brackets l1 are eachprovided with a straight wall 25, best shown in Figure 4, to receive anat portion 26 on the respective encl of the shaft IQ to mount the drumfor rotation with the shaft as a unit. Nuts 2l' are threaded on to theends of the shaft and detachably secure the drum to the shaft. The shaftis provided with a pinion 28, best shown in Figures 2 and 3, forrotating the shaft as will now be described.

Two solenoids 28 and 20 are mounted in axial alignment transversely ofthe drum through the medium of respective strap brackets 3`| and 32which are secured to the base bar 22 as shown at 2l and Il. The axis ofthe solenoids extends at a right angle to the shaft I9. A hollowarmature 2l, common to both solenoids, is mounted for endwise movementin the solenoids and is limited in endwise movement by caps 36 and 3lwhich close the outer ends oi' the solenoids. Rack teeth Il are formedon the upper surface of the armature and mesh with the teeth of thepinion 28.

When the armature is moved endwise in either direction, the drum Il isconsequently rotated armature in neutral position, a pin 39 is disposedlongitudinally in the bore of the armature and is secured stationarythrough the medium oi' nuts .40 threaded onto the ends of the pin anden-` gaging the caps 36 and 31. The pin is provided with a centralprojection 4I which is disposed within an annular collar 42 formed atthe center of the bore of the armature. A pair of helical springs 43 and44 are sleeved on the pin, the outer ends of the springs bearing againstthe caps 36 and 31 and the inner ends of the springs bearing againstrespective washers 45 and 46 disposed loosely on opposite sides of theprojection 4|.

By referring to Figure 2 it will be seen that when the solenoid 29 onthe right of the ligure is energized, the armature 35 will be drawnthereinto with resultant rotation of the pinion 28 and drum I4counter-clockwise to display the legends back or stop selectivelythrough the sight opening I2. During this movement of the armature theannular collar 4I moves the washer 45 outwardly and compresses thespring 43. As soon as the solenoid is deenergized thespring expands andreturns th'e armature and drum to neutral position, in which position ofthe drum the initials of the owner, for example, "J F D are displayedthrough the sight opening.

When the solenoid 30 on the left of Figure 2 is energized, the armature36 will be drawn thereinto with resultant rotation of the pinion 26 anddrum I4 clockwise to display either the legend right or the legend leftselectively through the sight opening I2. The annular collar 42 impingesagainst the washer 46 to compress the spring 44 when the solenoid isenergized and when the solenoid becomes deenergized the spring expandsand returns the armature 35 to neutral position.

'I'he legend right or stop will be displayed when the drum is permittedto advance to its 1 limit of stroke in either direction. For limitingyoo movement of the drum to one-half stroke in either direction, and`thus selecting the legend left or back to be displayed, a thirdsolenoid 41 is secured to the base bar 22 through the medium of bracketarms 48 best shown in Figure 3. The solenoid is provided with anarmature 49 having a projection 50 at one end adapted to enter a recess5I in the hollow armature 35, as best shown in Figures 3 and-5, andlimit rotation of the drum to one-half stroke when the solenoid 41 isenergized.

A helical spring 52 is sleeved on the armature 49 and at one end bearsagainst a ilange 53 secured to the end of the armature and at the otherend bears against a flange 54 projecting from a guide tube 55 disposedin the bore of the solenoid 41. The tube is closed at the outer endthrough the medium of a cap 56 which forms a stop to limit withdrawal ofthe armature, under urge -of the spring 52, from the recess 5I when thesolenoid 41 is deenergized.

For controlling the solenoids a selective switch is provided, as shownin Figures 6, 'I and 8. The switch may be located within convenientreach of the driver and comprises a casing 51 having a switch base 58 ofinsulating material disposed longitudinally therein. The top wall459 ofthe casing is provided with a cruciform slot 60, the arms of which aredesignated by respective characters, L for left, R for right, B forback, and S for stop. A switch arm 6Iv projects through the slot and isequipped outside of the casing with a knob 62. l

, The switch arm is provided inside of the casing with a ball 63 formedof metal and which is loosely conned in a metal socket 64 which issecured to the insulating base 58 by screws 65. Diametrically oppositethe arm 6I the ball is formed with an integral arm 66 through the mediumo f which current from the source of supply 61, such as a battery, isbrought through a wire 68, to any one of four stationary switch contacts69, designated as shown in Figure 8, as, R for right, L for left, B forback and S" for stop, arranged a quadrant distance apart in an insulatediiange 1I) which projects downwardly from the insulating base 68concentric with the axis thereof.

Each switch contact- 69 is formed of four resilient metal tonguesembedded at the outer ends in the ange 10, the two inner tongues formingswitch contacts to be bridged by the arm 66, and the other two formingstops to limit expanding movement of the inner contacts, one of theother two also forming a switch contact to be energized when the innertwo switch contacts are spread apart by the arm 66. The electricalconnections are such that when the selective switch is operated, one ofthe aligned solenoids is energized to give a respective signal, theother solenoid oi' the aligned solenoids is energized to give anotherselectivesignal. Either of the two remaining signals is given byenergizing one of the aligned solenoids and by simultaneously energizingthe third solenoid as will be seen by reference to Figure 9.

Right tum The stationary switch Contact designatedv Ry corresponding tothe right legend, is connected by a wire 1I to the solenoid 30 of thealigned solenoids for actuating the signal drum to display the rightlegend indicative of a right turn.

Stop signal The stationary switch contact designated S, corresponding tothe stop" legend, is connected by a Wire 12 to the other alignedsolenoid 29 for actuating the signal drum to display the stop legendindicative of the drivers intention to stop.

Left turn to one-half 'so that it will display the legend left at thesight opening I2.

Back signal One of the outer tongues of the switch contact designatedB," corresponding to a back legend, is connected by a wire 16 to theother solenoid 29 of the aligned solenoids while one of the innertongues of this switch contact is connected by a wire 16 to the thirdsolenoid 41. Consequently when the selective switch is operated toengage the stationary switch contact corresponding to a back" signal thesolenoid 28 of the aligned solenoids will be energized andsimultaneously the third solenoid 81 will be energized to limit thestroke of the signal drum to one-half stroke so that the legend backwill be displayed at the sight opening.

The remaining inner tongue of each stationary switch contact isconnected to a common circuit wire 'l1 which is in series with a pilotbulb 18 in the selective switch casing and a legend illuminating bulb 19on the bar 22.

It is desirable that the brake pedal be utilized also to operate thestop signal. For this purpose a brake pedal operated switch is provided.comprising a bridging contact 80 which is connected to the brake pedal8i by a link 82 and is adapted to bridge three stationary switchcontacts 88, 84 and 85. A wire 88 is connected to the contact 83 and isconnected to the solenoid 29. A wire 81 is connected to the contact 8land is connected to the common circuit wire 81 which is in series withthe bulbs 18 and 19. A wire 88 is connected to the contact 85 and isconnected to a switch contact 80 to bring power from the power wire 88through the switch arm 68, best shown in Figure 6.

When the brake pedal is depressed the bulbs will be energized and, atthe same time, the solenoid 29 will be energized through its full stroketo actuate the signal drum for displaying the signal stop at the sightopening.

As best shown in Figure 7 the contact 90 comprises a dished metal platewhich is supported upon an insulating base 9| carried by brackets 92disposed on the bottom of the insulating ilange 10. 'I'he power wire 88to the brake pedal switch is connected to a metal pin 99 which slidablyextends through the insulating base 9i and which is iixed to the plate90. Sleeved upon the pin is a helical spring 94 which holds the plate 98in good electrical contact with the arm 88 of the selective switch whenthe selective switch is in neutral position to close the power circuitat this point to the brake pedal operated switch.

Since the operation of the device has been described, as the descriptionof the parts progressed, it is thought that the invention will be fullyunderstood Withoutfurther explanation.

What ls claimed is:

1. In an electrical direction indicator, a casing having a sightopening, a. rotatable drum in the casing adapted to display signallegends "right," left, back" and "stop through said opening. a shaftconnected to the drum for rotating the drum, a pinion xed to the shaft,a pair of aligned solenoids disposed at opposite sides of the shaft, anamature movable endwise through both solenoids and having rack teethengaging the pinion for rotating the drum when either of the solenoidsis energized, a rod extending axially through the armature, supportscarried by the solenoids to which the rod is nxed at the ends. a stopprojection on the center of the rod, washers loose on the rod onopposite sides of the stop pro- ,iection, a collar on the inner wall ofthe arma- "/ture engaged between said collars, helical springs sleevedon the rod between the supports and the washers normally holding thedrum in nonsignaling position, there being a recess in the side ot theamature, and a third solenoid having an armature adapted to engage insaid recess and limit stroke of the toothed armature to onehalfstroke,'respective circuits corresponding to the signal legendsconnected to the first-named solenoids. a source of electricity.circuits connected to the source of electricity corresponding to saidsignal legends. two of the circuits being connected to one of thealigned solenoids and two of the circuits being connected to the otherof the aligned solenoids, circuits corresponding to two of the signallegends connected to said third solenoid and connected in parallel withrespective ones of the ilrst-named circuits, and circuit closers forsaid circuits.

2. In an electrical direction indicator, a casing having a sightopening, a rotatable drum in the casing adapted to display signallegends right, left, back and stop through said opening, a shaftextending axially through the drum, a pair of brackets extending fromthe shaft in the same direction and secured to the ends of the shaft andto the ends of the drum, standards having bearings rotatably receivingthe shaft, a pinion fixed to the shaft, a pair of solenoids arranged atopposite sides of the shaft, a hollow armature common to both solenoidspro# vided with rack teeth engaging the pinion, a stationary rodextending axially in the hollow armature, supports for the rod, slidingwashers on the rod, a stop projection at the center of the rod betweenthe washers, an annular collar in the bore of the armature disposedbetween the washers, helical springs sleeved on the rod between thesupports and the washers for normally holding the drum in non-signalingposition, the armature being provided in a side thereof and centrallybetween its ends with a recess, and a third solenoid arrangedperpendicular to the -hollow armature and having a spring pressedarmature adapted to engage in said slot when the third solenoid isenergized, respective circuits corresponding to the signal legendsconnected to the first-named solenoids, a source of electricity,circuits connected to the source of electricity corresponding to saidsignal legends, two of the circuits being connected to one of thealigned solenoids and two of the circuits being connected to the otherof the aligned solenoids, circuits corresponding to two oi' the signallegends connected to said third solenoid and connected in parallel withrespective ones of the first-named circuits, and circuit closers forsaid circuits.

3. In an electrical direction indicator, a casing having a sightopening, a rotatable drum in the casing adapted to display signallegends right, left, back and stop through said opening, a shaftconnected to the drum for rotating the drum, a pinion fixed to theshaft, a pair of aligned solenoids disposed at opposite sides of theshaft, an armature movable endwise through both solenoids and havingrack teeth engaging the pinion for rotating the drum when either of thesolenoidsvls energized, means for yieldably holding thedrum innon-signaling position, there being a recess in the side of thearmature, and a third solenoid having an armature adapted to engage insaid recess and limit stroke of the toothed armature to one-half stroke,respective circuits corresponding to the signal legends connected to thefirst named solenoids, a source ofelectricity, circuits connected to thesource of electricity corresponding to said signal legends two of thecircuits being connected to one of the aligned solenoids and two of thecircuits being connected to the other of the aligned solenoids,

circuits corresponding to two of the signal legends

